At Kids on Computers, we’ve spent a lot of time and energy getting computers to kids that have no access to technology. Many of these places (rural Mexico, Africa, India) have cell phones before they have phone lines or even power. (The second time you blow the power for an entire school trying to set up a couple of computers, you realize how much we take power for granted in developing countries.)
So the new devices coming out right now are really exciting.
- Canonical has an Android phone that proposes to replace your desktop.
- Several companies are making USB thumb drive size devices that are full computers; check out Cotton Candy and Raspberry Pi.
- Mozilla and Telefonica are working on enabling HTML5 devices running on the Open Web to deliver smartphone capabilities at feature phone prices. A $100 smartphone will bring you the power of the web!
These devices, using open source software and open web technologies are going to bring the web – and the world – to more people everywhere.
Disclaimer: I work at Mozilla. At Mozilla we are working on making sure everyone has access to the web and that it stays open and accessible for everyone.